Tag Archives: influenza

Influenza

H7N9 update: U.S. declares state of emergency!!! Your immune system does not respond!

08 May 2013 (17:07 UTC-07 Tango)/27 Jumada t-Tania 1434/18 Ordibehest 1392/29 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

Quietly, in the middle of April, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency over the new H7N9 virus.  On the surface the declaration allows the use of testing kits that are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  However, on 22 April a new FDA approved H7 test was made “….available to all qualified U.S. public health and U.S. Department of Defense laboratories…”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has already set up a Situational Awareness Coordination Unit, which includes coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Quietly, on 01 May, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated: “…CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate efforts. In the United States, planning for H7N9 vaccine clinical trials is under way. Although no decision has been made to initiate an H7N9 vaccination program in the United States, CDC recommends that local authorities and preparedness programs take time to review and update their pandemic influenza vaccine preparedness plans……CDC also recommends that public health agencies review their overall pandemic influenza plans…..”

A report from the NewScientist says health and security personnel will begin testing people at entry points into the country, as several Asian countries are already doing.  The concern is that H7N9 is proving to be not only difficult to detect and treat, but that it is a sneaky virus which manages to avoid detection by your own body’s immune system.  This allows it to replicate and overwhelm you.

Influenza

H7N9 update: 130 cases, 31 deaths! More evidence of Tamiflu resistance!

06 May 2013 (12:32 UTC-07 Tango)/25 Jumada t-Tania 1434/16 Ordibehest 1392/27 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

After several days of no reports, the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission says the number of human case are now 129 (however, by my count it’s 130), and 31 people have died.

Two people in Fujian Province are infected. On 02 May there were 128 cases, so these two new cases makes 130.   42 people are reported to have recovered.

In Shandong Province a test of poultry waste at a market was positive for H7N9.  A chicken in a live market, in Jiangxi Province, was positive for H7N9, as well as a chicken in a market in Guangdong Province.

Health officials in Shanghai say that four men who were in critical condition did not benefit from anti-viral treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu).   Three of the men had not been in contact with birds.  One man died, two actually recovered, and one is apparently still hospitalized.

Health officials believe anti-viral treatment was started too late in the infection, that as the infection progresses it becomes much stronger.  They suggest starting anti-viral treatments ASAP.

Influenza

H7N9 update: 20% kill rate!

04 May 2013 (13:13 UTC-07 Tango)/23 Jumada t-Tania 1434/14 Ordibehest 1392/25 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

Medical researchers say the rate of people dying from H7N9 has reached 20%, or one in every five human infections.

Other researchers put together possible H7N9 spread maps, using wild bird flight patterns, and poultry distribution.

When looking at only wild bird migration patterns the spread of H7N9 seems to correlate.  However, problems pop up when looking at domesticated poultry.  Government testing of poultry has already shown that only poultry in the live markets show signs of infection, not one chicken or duck on a farm has tested positive.  Much more research needs to be done to find out why poultry are becoming infected after being brought to live markets.

In Taiwan, government health officials are in trouble after video was released showing the culling of poultry being done by people who are not protected.

The video also shows dead chickens piled in parking lots: “We can see vendors, workers and regular people moving around the market without gloves or masks, and no protection measures at all have been implemented. The market should be a model for the city’s bird flu prevention campaign, but has become a big loophole…”-Tung Chung-yen, Taipei City Council

 

Influenza

H7N9 update: Man recovers from death bed! Thailand & U.K. on alert!

03 May 2013 (10:26 UTC-07 Tango)/22 Jumada t-Tania 1434/13 Ordibehest 1392/24 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

The government of Thailand is drafting an emergency plan to deal with a potential outbreak of H7N9: “Personally I believe the outbreak of this avian flu virus will reach Thailand by October, because of the rainy season. It will also deal a psychological blow to the poultry industry, not only in frozen chickens but cooked chicken as well.”-Pornthep Siriwanarangson, Disease Control Department

A 38 years  old man is now considered recovered after several days on death’s door.  Health officials in Zhejiang Province say he had been hospitalized for 22 days.  He was one of nine people recovered from H7N9 and released from hospitals on Friday.

In Taiwan, health officials say their first, and so far only human case of H7N9 is recovering.  The 53 years old man came back from a trip to China sick.  He’s been hospitalized since the first week of April.

Doctors in United Kingdom have been told to be on the alert for symptoms of H7N9 in Britishers.  The reason is that about 11000 Britishers visit China every week.  Also, about 3500 Chinese visit the U.K. every week.

Yet another study has confirmed what earlier studies have said about where H7N9 came from: It’s mutated from several other viruses.

 The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other universities, identified some of the genes.  One set of genes came from ducks in the Yangtze River Delta region.  Another set of genes are believed to have come from wild migrating birds.  Six other gene types evolved from two different groups of H9N2.  Some of the genes are resistant to tamiflu anti-viral treatment.

 

International

H7N9 update: 128 cases, 27 deaths!

02 May 2013 (01:47 UTC-07 Tango)/21 Jumada t-Tania 1434/12 Ordibehest 1391/23 Ding-Si (3rd month) 4711

The Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission reported that as of 01 May 2013, there were 127 human infections of H7N9.

On 02 May 2013, a 55 years old man died from the ‘bird’ flu in Hunan Province.  Apparently he got sick in Jiangxi Province and was transferred to Hunan on 26 April.

Also on 02 May, Hunan Province reported a new human case in the city of Shaoyang.

International

H7N9 update: 126 cases! Taiwan warns of human to human cases!

30 April 2013 (01:49 UTC-07 Tango)/19 Jumada t-Tania 1434/10 Ordibehest 1391/21 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

“Countermeasures have been effective so far, but the situation is still developing…..We cannot afford to take it easy or relax, as we are facing a new virus. We should be prepared for any possible development.”-Li Keqiang, Chinese Premier

Fujian Province reporting their third human case.  A 58 years old man got sick with symptoms of fever and cough, then sought help at the hospital on 28 April.  He tested positive on 30 April.  Anybody who’s been in close contact with him are now being monitored.

The UN World Health Organization says they’ve confirmed 126 human cases of H7N9, in China and Taiwan.

Despite World medical opinion, Taiwan is now warning of human to human infections.  A report points out that there are now three cluster cases involving people related to or living near each other.

China’s Centers for Disease Control also point out that 40% of infected people had no contact with birds.

 

International

H7N9 update: 24 deaths! NIAID warns of human to human cases!

29 April 2013 (15:48 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Jumada t-Tania 1434/09 Ordibehest 1391/20 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

The city of Shanghai reporting a death.  An 89 years old man died 12 days after seeking medical help.  He was from Jiangsu Province.

China’s Ministry of Agriculture and the World Organization for Animal Health restated that if you cook poultry properly you won’t get sick.

Despite World health officials continuing to claim there is no evidence for human to human infections, Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said: “…we still need to be very prepared for the eventuality of that happening.”

International

H7N9 update: 124 cases! Another human to human case?

29 April 2013 (00:33 UTC-07 Tango)/18 Jumada t-Tania 1434/09 Ordibehest 1391/20 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

A 38 years old man tested positive for the ‘bird’ flu in Zhejiang Province.

In Shandong Province, a four years old boy is hospitalized with H7N9.  He is the son of the first person to become infected in the province.  At this point, local health officials are reluctant to call it a human to human case.  This is the second time someone who is connected to an infected person got sick.  The first one is in Beijing, a four years old boy in quarantine because he is considered a carrier.  A seven years old girl, who lives in the same neighborhood as the boy, got sick, but she has recovered.

An 80 years old man and a 31 years old woman tested positive in Jiangxi Province.

In Fujian Province, a man suspected of being the province’s second case, has tested positive. He is in critical condition.

In Henan Province, a 38 years old man became the third person to be considered recovered, in that province.  He is a live poultry seller.

So far 23 people across China have died from H7N9, since the end of March.

 

International

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update 27 April 2013: Scottish hospital worst case! Dogs going down!

Westchester County, New York U.S.A., reporting at least 100 people got sick at a weekend fundraising event at the Rye Brook hotel.  County health officials say there could be more cases.

In New Hampshire U.S.A., a second test confirmed that the Pembroke Academy drama club got sick from norovirus.  The drama club said they got sick after eating a take out order from Olive Garden.

Saint Clair County, Michigan U.S.A., reporting outbreaks.  County officials say at least five long-term care facilities, hospital facilities and schools were hit with norovirus.

In Montana U.S.A., state Department of Health and Human Services officials reporting a spike in cases.   At least 20 outbreaks affecting 500 people have hit the sparsely populated Big Sky Treasure state, since the beginning of the year.  Officials say that’s twice the normal yearly cases.

In Dorset, England U.K., the Poole Hospital ended its visitor restrictions. Hospital officials restricted visitation early this month, blaming it on norovirus cases not only in the hospital but in the local community as well.

In Edinburgh, Scotland U.K., the Liberton Hospital is still under restrictions after nearly two months.  At least 321 patients have become sick with norovirus. Hospital officials say it’s the worst outbreak they’ve seen, and are begging for help: “We have had a ­continuing problem with ­norovirus and are actively ­seeking information.”-Alison McCallum, NHS Lothian

On the Isle of Man, British Empire, a stomach bug outbreak is being blamed on unsanitary handling of livestock.  Some of the cases have been confirmed to be Cryptosporidium (a parasite) and Campylobacter (a bacteria).

In Cheshire, England U.K.,  a company claims to have created a cleanser that will kill many microbes, including norovirus, in less than one minute. The company also claims hospitals in Germany and Austria are using it. It’s called Noroclear, and does not use any harsh chemicals like bleach.   Company officials acknowledge there are other products which work, but none work in less than a minute.  They would not reveal what Noroclear is made from.

On the Jersey Channel Islands, British Empire, people are being told not to go to hospitals or health clinics if they are sick with norovirus.  This is an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.  There is no treatment for norovirus.

In Canada, the Saskatoon Health Region warning of yet another tummy bug outbreak.  This time as many as 500 are sick, after attending a provincial dance competition.  Health officials say the number of cases could go up because at least 1000 people attended the competition.

In Galway, Ireland, visitation has been restricted at University College Hospital.  Hospital officials say they are dealing with an outbreak, and to prevent filling all beds with vomiting bug patients they want people to stay away, especially if they’ve been sick with the bug.

The Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, in Scotland U.K., has been hit with an outbreak yet again.  This time at least 28 patients and nine staff are sick.

The Muddy Boots farm in Fife, Scotland U.K., under investigation after 16 cases of cryptosporidiosis (a parasite). The farm owners don’t like being blamed: “All the tests they conducted have come back negative. They are not willing to clear us….”-Treina Samson

In Cumbria, England U.K., the Furness General Hospital is reporting an escalation in the outbreak there.  Wards have been closed, as well as admissions: “Despite every effort by the trust, the highly contagious bug has continued to spread and the MAU is now significantly affected. In order to ensure that the hospital can return to normal as soon as possible, the decision has been made to close the MAU to admissions….”-spokesman for Morecambe Bay NHS

In Cornwall, England U.K., a man was prevented from seeing his dying wife at the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske.  They blamed a norovirus outbreak.  The man’s wife died from cancer the next day.  Just more proof of how sucky the British Empire health system is.

In Pennsylvania U.S.A., the outbreak at Saint Katharine of Siena School in Wayne continues.  At latest count, 140 students and teachers became sick.  Also, a dog camp in North Hills closed after dogs became sick.  They will remain closed until 02 May.

‘Tis the season for cicadas.  Entomologists are warning that while your pets wont be killed by eating these loud bugs, if they eat too many they could suffer the same symptoms as norovirus.  Before getting too concerned try to remember if your dog or cat was munching down on some of these faux locusts.

 

 

 

International

H7N9 update: 119 cases, more evidence it’s not coming from chickens!

27 April 2013 (22:13 UTC-07 Tango 26 April 2013)/16 Jumada t-Tania 1434/07 Ordibehest 1391/18 Bing-Chen (3rd month) 4711

The H7N9 flu has spread to yet another Chinese province.  Fujian Province reporting a man in his 60s became sick with repeated coughing, low fever and a tight chest on 18 April.  The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed H7N9 on 26 April.

Three men, ages ranging from 30s to 60s, confirmed infected in Jiangsu Province.  Two are in serious condition.

A 38 years old farmer in Zhejiang Province, is in serious condition with H7n9.

In Jiangxi Province, a 76 years old woman is in critical condition. She’s the province’s second H7n9 case.  Local health officials say many of her ducks and chickens have died, they are being tested for the virus.

A researcher says he’s found a chicken infected with the exact strain of H7N9 that’s infecting humans.  Many scientific and media sources are claiming this proves the new H7N9 is coming from chickens.  I say no way, because of other data the Chinese government has released.

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture says they have tested 68o60 birds from poultry slaughterhouses, live poultry markets, poultry farms, and wild birds.  Out of the 68060 samples only 46 were positive for H7N9, only 46.   It gets better.  44 of those were from poultry markets, one was from a pigeon farm, the other one was a wild pigeon.  Not one chicken on a farm or in a slaughterhouse tested positive.  This means the poultry are getting infected at the live poultry markets.  I suspect they’re getting infected from humans, this H7N9 could be a bird flu that’s mutated in humans and is only now infecting birds.

Note that about half the human cases had no contact with birds.